Detachable aneurysm neck bridge (II)

Abstract

This is a device for bridging the neck of either a wide-necked or narrow-necked aneurysm in the vasculature and stabilizing the presence of vaso-occlusive devices (such as helically wound coils) in that aneurysm. The retainer assembly may be delivered from its attachment to the distal end of a tubular member preferably by the severance of by an included electrolytically severable joint. The retainer assembly itself typically has a number of array elements which are intended to be resident within the aneurysm after the device is deployed from the distal end of a catheter. After deployment of this retainer, the aneurysm is at least partially filled with a vaso-occlusive device such as helically wound coils.

I claim:  
     
       1. An expandable occlusion device comprising: 
       a central tubular section;  
       at least one loop having ends fixedly attached to the central tubular section, the occlusion device being configured to expand from a first delivery shape to a second deployed shape, the central tubular section being adapted to be slidably positioned about an elongated tubular delivery member; and  
       an electrolytically severable joint disposed between the occlusion device and the elongated tubular delivery member.  
     
     
       2. The expandable occlusion device of  claim 1  wherein the loop comprises a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steels and super-elastic alloys. 
     
     
       3. The expandable occlusion device of  claim 1  wherein the loop is at least partially covered with a fabric or mesh. 
     
     
       4. The expandable occlusion device of  claim 1  wherein the loop is radio-opaque. 
     
     
       5. The expandable occlusion device of  claim 1  wherein the elongated tubular delivery member additionally comprises at least one radio-opaque marker located distally. 
     
     
       6. The expandable occlusion device of  claim 1  wherein the elongated tubular delivery member has a lumen from a proximal end to a distal end of the elongated tubular delivery member and wherein the lumen contains a vaso-occlusive device delivery member comprising in combination a.) a core wire having a proximal end and a distal end, said core wire distal end severably attached to an electrolytically severable joint, which severable joint is severable upon application of a suitable current, b.) said electrolytically severable joint, and c.) a vaso-occlusive device fixedly attached to said electrolytically severable joint, which vaso-occlusive device is released from said core wire upon severance of said electrolytically severable joint. 
     
     
       7. The expandable occlusion device of  claim 1  further comprising the elongated tubular delivery member through which the expandable occlusion device is deliverable. 
     
     
       8. An expandable occlusion device comprising: 
       at least one loop fixedly attached to a distal end of an electrolytically severable joint, the proximal end of which electrolytically severable joint is adapted to be fixedly attached to a distal end of an elongated tubular delivery member, the occlusion device being configured to expand from a first delivery shape to a second deployed shape; and  
       the electrolytically severable joint being disposed between the occlusion device and the distal end of the elongated tubular delivery member.  
     
     
       9. The expandable occlusion device of  claim 8  wherein the loop comprises a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steels and super-elastic alloys. 
     
     
       10. The expandable occlusion device of  claim 8  wherein the loop is at least partially covered with a fabric or mesh. 
     
     
       11. The expandable occlusion device of  claim 8  wherein the loop is radio-opaque. 
     
     
       12. The expandable occlusion device of  claim 8  wherein the elongated tubular delivery member additionally comprises at least one radio-opaque marker located distally. 
     
     
       13. (New) The expandable occlusion device of  claim 8  wherein the elongated tubular delivery member has a lumen from a proximal end to the distal end of the elongated tubular delivery member and wherein the lumen contains a vaso-occlusive device delivery member comprising in combination a.) a core wire having a proximal end and a distal end, said core wire distal end severably attached to an electrolytically severable joint, which severable joint is severable upon application of a suitable current, b.) said electrolytically severable joint, and c.) a vaso-occlusive device fixedly attached to said electrolytically severable joint, which vaso-occlusive device is released from said core wire upon severance of said electrolytically severable joint. 
     
     
       14. The expandable occlusion device of  claim 8  further comprising the elongated tubular delivery member through which the expandable occlusion device is deliverable.